Styling Secrets from the Pros at HGTV Smart Home 2017
It’s easy to get stuck when you’re decorating side spaces, like entryways or bedside tables. So here’s some inspiration from HGTV Smart Home 2017 to get your creative juices going. Sponsored by Bassett Furniture and Home Accessories
By:
Karin Beurlein
Mix and Match
Resist the urge to put the flowers in the middle every time. This row of neutral accents benefits from an unexpected bloom of color on one end—and note how designer Tiffany Brooks used repetition of similar items across the row to achieve balance (bravo!) without symmetry (boring!). A low-slung piece like this antique boatmaker’s cabinet from Bassett is a great place to experiment with objects of different heights. Don’t be afraid to mix and match until you get just the right look.
From:
Tiffany Brooks
The Neutral Bookshelf
Is your book collection a million different colors? If you’re going for a unified neutral look on an open shelf, just flip the book spines inward. Presto: a soft palette of tans and whites that looks carefully chosen, not random. And if you’re stumped on how to group objects like the vessels on top, stick with odd numbers—sevens, fives, or threes rather than sixes, fours, or twos.
From:
Tiffany Brooks
Thoughtfully Curated
For accents to go with your newly neutral book collection, try to collect objects around the house that share a single attribute, like a metal finish. Here, in the master bedroom, designer Tiffany Brooks used several brass and copper items that complement the gunmetal etagere.
Go Big
Yes, you can combine big, bold chunky accessories in one tight spot. In the right place, it won’t look messy or overdone—here, the big expanse of empty charcoal wall makes the grouping of items on the cabinet feel balanced, not cluttered. Got tons of wall art? Go more minimal with accessories on surfaces.
From:
Tiffany Brooks
Houseplants Are a Must
Use succulents or other houseplants to soften the edges of hard metallic finishes, as designer Tiffany Brooks did here in the master bedroom.
From:
Tiffany Brooks
Be a Collector
Try collecting multiple vases of different heights to adorn a surface, and fill them all with the same type of flower to bring them together.
From:
Tiffany Brooks
Don't Overlook a Small Space
This small space by the guest bed might easily have been overlooked—or crammed awkwardly with too many objects. But by styling this minimal area with a unifying color, a soft sunset orange, designer Tiffany Brooks managed to fit in a slim chair, a floor lamp, and a bedside table without making the space feel crowded.
From:
Tiffany Brooks
A Touch of Whimsy
A single whimsical art object, paired with books and fresh flowers, is all the style this small table needs.
From:
Tiffany Brooks
Create a Stylish Moment
Even in a functional spot like the bathroom, you can take space that would otherwise be wasted and turn it into a moment with a little smart styling. Here, a chair, wall art, and a grouping of potted plants invite guests to take a seat and relax.
From:
Tiffany Brooks